GMS-T

GMS-T is an active satellite operated by OHB SE (Orbitale Hochtechnologie Bremen) (Germany), launched on 2021-01-20 from RLLC. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 1,195 km and 1,201 km with an inclination of 90.1°. It travels at approximately 26,125 km/h (7.26 km/s), completing one full orbit every 109 minutes — that’s roughly 13.17 orbits per day. Its near-circular orbit (eccentricity close to zero) means it maintains a very consistent altitude throughout each revolution. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~500–1,000 years. Orbital Radar tracks GMS-T in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

GMS-T orbits at an average altitude of 1,198 km in the upper LEO band, where atmospheric drag is negligible and objects can persist for centuries to millennia. This altitude is used by broadband constellations like OneWeb and by scientific missions requiring stable orbits far from the densest debris bands. Within ±50 km of GMS-T’s average altitude, there are currently 843 active payloads and 210 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ONEWEB-0012, ONEWEB-0010, ONEWEB-0008. With an inclination of 90.1°, GMS-T passes over latitudes between 90.1°N and 90.1°S, providing near-global coverage including the polar regions. Polar and near-polar orbits are used for reconnaissance, weather monitoring and Earth-observation missions that need to image every part of the planet. Germany operates approximately 80 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with GMS-T.